Childbirth

Twins and Multiple Births

It is very exciting when you get your very first sonogram and there are two or three babies to admire. This can be a bit overwhelming, especially to the couple who only banked on having one child, at a time at least. You have to come back to reality and think that 2 or 3 babies can be difficult, but also manageable. There will be help required from friends and family because multiple babies can wear a new mom and dad out.

Twins or triplets can be conceived for three reasons. One is that multiple eggs are released during a woman's menstrual cycle. Fraternal twins are the result and this can happen naturally or with the use of fertility drugs. Another way is when an IVF is performed and three or more eggs are put into the uterus. Not every time does the eggs all make babies, but sometimes it does happen. The third way that twins or triplets are conceived is one egg is fertilized and divides into two. This would be your case of identical twins. This can happen with fertility drugs or naturally.

An ultrasound will be the first indicator that you are carrying twins or triplets, and then the fun begins. Being pregnant with multiple babies requires more care than a single pregnancy. Your doctor's visits may be more frequent and your nutritional intake will be higher. The best advice is to find a doctor or midwife with experience with multiple births so that you will be in good hands. You must gain weight, a good idea with every pregnancy. With twins or triplets at least 45 pounds must be gained so that your babies will be healthy and strong.

Multiple babies can have more complications than single pregnancies. This includes high blood pressure and it will be constantly monitored. Multiple birth related complications may also arise. This includes twin-to-twin transfusions and intrauterine growth retardation, which will be both be looked for and monitored should they happen. Being pregnant with multiple babies can be tough on the mom. She may gain more weight and not feel so well for most of her pregnancy. Bed rest may also be implemented for moms carrying several babies. Still the mom should take good care of her, get the required prenatal care, and get plenty of rest. The better care that she gets, the better health that both or all three of her babies will have.